Studying membrane modulation mechanisms by electron cryo-tomography

ElsevierVolume 77, December 2022, 102464Current Opinion in Structural BiologyHighlights•

CryoET images proteins associated with membranes in vitro and in situ.

CryoET uncovers novel proteins involved in membrane bending in situ.

CryoET on reconstituted vesicles reveals if proteins bend membranes.

Sub-tomogram averaging (STA) provides high-resolution structures of protein cores.

Spatial information from STA indicates how proteins interact to deform membranes.

Abstract

Membrane modulation is a key part of cellular life. Critical to processes like energy production, cell division, trafficking, migration and even pathogen entry, defects in membrane modulation are often associated with diseases. Studying the molecular mechanisms of membrane modulation is challenging due to the highly dynamic nature of the oligomeric assemblies involved, which adopt multiple conformations depending on the precise event they are participating in. With the development of electron cryo-tomography and subtomogram averaging, many of these challenges are being resolved as it is now possible to observe complex macromolecular assemblies inside a cell at nanometre to sub-nanometre resolutions. Here, we review the different ways electron cryo-tomography is being used to help uncover the molecular mechanisms used by cells to shape their membranes.

© 2022 Diamond light source ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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